Over the years I’ve been to plenty of concerts. Many of the artists merited me seeing them play live more than once or twice. Anyway, I always felt that the first song of a concert was crucial and it could set the tone and mood for the rest of the show. I’ve got a list of my favorite ways singers and bands opened shows I attended.
1984 Springsteen- “Born in the USA.” The houselights in the Rosemont Horizon went dark, lots of shouts of “Bruuuce” as the band filed onstage. Bruce counted off, “One! Two! One- Two, Three FOUR!” And Boom! The opening drum beat and keyboards sounds of that iconic anthem rocked out. It was like an atomic bomb went off in that place and I still get chills thinking about that night. “Born down in a dead man’s town, the first kick I took was when I hit the ground!” The rest of that night was packed with an indescribable energy. Well done, Boss!
1995 Eagles- “Hotel California.” The legendary band kicking off the United Center concert with their most iconic song. How bold, ballsy and memorable! “You can check out anytime you want but you can never leave.” With a show opener like that, who would want to leave?
1991 Rod Stewart- “Maggie May.” On a chilly Saturday September night at Poplar Creek Music Theater, Rod walked out to the opening guitar riffs of his best known hit while carrying a soccer ball that he kicked into the crowd. Then he belted out, “Wake up Maggie I think I got something to say to you…” Another ballsy start to a greatest hits filled concert.
1982 The Who- “My Generation.” Ioften saw The Who start their concerts with either “Substitute” or “Can’t Explain” but this rocker was a better way to roll out their stream of aces up songs. Loud and in your face defiant was the way to go.
1988 Bruce Hornsby- “Look Out Any Window.” A quiet start to a song that rallies into a full-on band blaster. Meeting Bruce backstage after a Poplar Creek show, I told him how I predicted that would be a fine start to his concert and he played it. Hornsby laughed, thanked me then asked “What song should we open with tomorrow?” I told him this one was still the way to go.
2002- Rolling Stones- “Street Fighting Man.” At the United Center, Keith Richards’ opening guitar slashes on this song cut through the arena and the way he and Mick rushed onstage to that track, it was like were conducting a full-on police raid. Eager, wild and such fun!
1980- Elton John- “Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding.” Elton often started his live shows with this great double punch of music. Spooky start then E.J.’s first piano notes kick in for a marathon jam and then the lyrics to “Love Lies…” “The roses in the window box have tilted to one side, everything about this house was born to grow and die.”
1998- Shania Twain- “Man I Feel Like a Woman.” On her first headlining tour, I attended Ms. Twain’s show at a Poplar Creek like venue in the middle of Indiana. The lights went out, folks were buzzing with anticipation, then in the dark we heard Shania teasingly and confidently say, “Well Indianapolis… are you ready for me?” The whole joint exploded with cheers then the band kicked into the first loud chords of that empowerment song. The stage lights lit up and Shania was on! Right in the middle of the stage and in total control. I still get chills remembering this show starter and it’s my very favorite concert opener moment.
SHANIA TWAIN- SO FULL OF POISE AND PURPOSE ON HER FIRST HEADLINING CONCERT TOUR.
1986 U2- “Pride-In the Name of Love.” The show stealing band of the multi-act Amnesty Tour was Bono and company. Much like when Springsteen launched a bomb with “Born in the U.S.A.” two years prior at the Horizon, the blast of “Pride.” was crazy! The song is a raucous yet celebratory assault to the fans. I truly thought the roars of the crowd and the volume of that show opener was going to blow the roof off the Rosemont Horizon. It was the loudest I ever heard that place.
1982 The Clash- “London Calling.” Easily the most intense concert I ever witnessed. On an early August evening, the Aragon Ballroom was sold -out, packed guts to butts with everyone set for a big night. If there was ever a night when I could picture the whole crowd getting into a mass brawl of fury, this was it! The band walked onstage as bright white lights beamed out to almost blind us. Lead singer Joe Strummer then announced, “We’re the Clash and we’re going to play London Calling to a faraway town.” The house exploded with approval as Joe, Mick Jones and the rest of the group banged out that track. At the end of the night, all of us were soaked with sweat, voices hoarse from screaming and cheering on a tough band with cool songs.
THE CLASH’S 1982 TOUR INCLUDED 2 ROWDY SHOWS AT THE ARAGON BALLROOM.
Next Blog- Getting under the “covers.”